I am almost always blown away by random acts of kindness. Not that they happen, but by the reaction they achieve. Yesterday was a little rough for me. Not end of the world rough, but it was still high-stress and not the “I feel like I accomplished something” kind of way. I was having a bad day.
I have come to really appreciate the 5 minute break I get to go get my coffee from the Simon’s Naturally café downstairs. I find appreciating the little things can make the bigger things less heavy. So I made my way to the elevator, annoyed that I don’t have the stamina-time-or-patience to climb down the 19 flights. Get to the bottom and realized I didn’t have my awesome reusable cup. So I’m double annoyed that I have to get the disposable one or go back upstairs again. Rar.
I decided to just go, it’s too busy upstairs for me to really make two trips. I got in line and waved hello to the baristas. The man in front of me was waiting to pay as well as to order another item. He was an attorney from the firm, a reviewer for the eDat department. We chatted about what I’ve been up to and how was I liking being in the firm instead of in the café now etc. The cashier rang him in and he stepped aside but turned back.
“I’m paying for whatever she’s getting.” He tells the barista. I was visibly shocked, but I smiled and said thank you. “It’s for all those years of such excellent service. Since they wouldn’t let you have a tip jar, let me buy your coffee.” I really melted.
I thanked him again, and suddenly there was a bounce in my step. The coffee tasted amazing, as Café Vita’s blend usually does. I grinned all the way back to my office. Shared my joy with several people, and continued smiling. It fueled me through the day and allowed me to muscle through an equally grueling afternoon at the dreaded day J.O.B.
I got on the bus to travel home and people were surprisingly polite for a Tuesday. Offering seats up to the elderly without being asked, moving aside for others and *gasp* saying excuse me… and thank you to the driver! A day that could have been overwhelmingly negative and sucked the life-blood of energy out of my potential for the day was saved by a random act of kindness.
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